Bathing Your Baby

A newborn doesn’t need to have a bath everyday. If you clean your baby’s face after each feeding and his diaper area after each BM, he only needs a bath with soap every other day. Bathing too often can dry your baby’s skin. Your baby puts his hands in his mouth often, so clean his hands several times a day with a damp cloth and mild soap.

Until the umbilical cord stump drops off and the navel area has completely healed, give your baby a sponge bath instead of a tub bath. Sitting in a tub of dirty bath water can cause the stump to become infected. Bathe him in a warm room that is free of drafts. When his bath is over, wrap him in a soft towel and cuddle him. Bath time is a great time to bond with your newborn.

For your baby’s bath you will need:

• a bowl or tub of warm water large enough to use for a sponge bath or to put him in for a tub bath
• baby soap and a pH balanced baby shampoo (ask your pediatrician for suggestions)
• a soft cotton wash cloth and towel, one with a hood is nice
• cotton balls, cotton swabs, and rubbing alcohol
• a set of clean clothes and a clean diaper

Sponge bath

When giving a sponge bath, wash him from the cleanest areas such as his hands, chest, and face, to the dirtiest areas, washing the diaper area last. Keep your baby warm while giving him a sponge bath by undressing only the parts you are bathing or covering him with a soft towel. Dry each area completely to prevent the loss of body heat.

Tub bath

Always keep one hand on your baby during a tub bath. Put about 3 inches of warm water in a small plastic tub or a clean sink. Always test the water temperature before putting him in it. Test the water with your elbow instead of your hands; your hands are used to water that is hotter than the rest of your body. The water should feel warm, but not hot. Fold a small towel and place it in the bottom of the sink or tub to prevent slipping. Talk to him as you lower him into the water; not all babies like a tub bath at first.

Bath-time safety

Babies can have a bath at any time of the day. So, pick a time that is not so busy for you. It is better to skip a bath than to squeeze it into a busy day. Bath time can be fun. It can also be a time for accidents. Following these safety rules will help prevent bath-time accidents.

• Never, ever leave your baby alone while giving him a bath. If you must be interrupted, take him with you or put him in his crib.
• Keep the water level shallow.
• Turn off the telephone or let the answering machine get it.
• Don’t bathe your baby in the kitchen sink while the dishwasher is running; hot water can back up into the sink and scald him.
• To prevent accidental scalding, set the thermostat on the water heater below 120°F.

Hair and scalp care

Wash your baby’s hair at the beginning of his bath. Dry his hair well before you undress him for bathing. Holding your baby in the football position will make it easier to wash his hair. Wash your baby’s hair and scalp twice a week using a small amount of baby shampoo on a soft wash cloth. Don’t get the cloth too wet or else soapy water can get into his eyes. Even “no tears” shampoos can sting. It’s okay to wash over the “soft spot” since it’s protected with a thick membrane. Dry his hair well with a towel to prevent the loss of body heat.

Your baby may have yellow, greasy scales over his scalp, eyebrows, and behind his ears commonly called “cradle cap.” Cradle cap can be removed by gently rubbing a small amount of baby oil on to the scalp. Massage the scalp until the scales loosen, then comb the scales out of his hair, and wash his scalp with baby shampoo. Rinse his scalp well after you shampoo; soap left on the scalp can irritate his scalp. You can also try lightly brushing your baby’s scalp daily with a soft baby brush. Cradle cap is not pretty, but it does not bother your baby. It is not contagious and has no side effects.

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Related topics 

• Your Baby`s Daily Massage
• Diet for a healthy breastfeeding mum
• Bathing & Soothing Your Baby's Skin
• Baby`s First Word

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Face, ears, nose, and eyes

Wash your baby’s face with plain water and without soap. Your baby may have a red pimply rash on his face for the first few weeks. No special treatment is needed. Gently washing your baby’s face every day may improve the rash. You don’t need to clean the inside of your baby’s mouth or ears. Wash behind his ears where spit-up milk can run. Gently wash the eyelids. Not all babies like this; your baby may squirm.

It’s OK to get water in your baby’s ears. Don’t try to dry the inside of your baby’s ears with cotton swabs (Q-tips); you can damage the eardrum. To get the water out, just gently turn her head to the side and let the water run out, then dry the outside of the ear with a soft towel.

Newborns breathe mainly through their nose, especially when feeding. Therefore, it is important to keep this airway free of mucous until he learns to breathe through his mouth. Sneezing is your baby’s way of clearing his nose. Some mucous is normal. However, too much mucous can cause nasal congestion making it harder for your baby to breathe. Clean the mucous from your baby’s nose by suctioning it with a bulb syringe. To do this, squeeze the bulb first, then gently place the tip of the syringe in his nose. Release the bulb to suck out the mucous. Squeeze the mucous into a tissue. Repeat these steps until your baby’s nose is clear. If mucous has dried on the outside of his nose, dab it with a damp cloth until it softens; then wash it off. Do not use cotton swabs (Q-tips) to clean inside your baby’s nose. A sudden movement by your baby could cause him to get hurt. Clean the bulb before using it again.

Your baby may have a clear or milky-white mucous discharge from one or both eyes. This is common usually caused by a clogged tear duct. To clean mucous from his eyes, lay your baby on his back. Turn his head toward the eye you are cleaning. Wipe the eye from the inside, next to his nose, to the outside with a cotton ball and plain water. Do not get the mucous from one eye into the other eye. Use a clean cotton ball for each wipe. If the discharge starts after you get home from the hospital, call your pediatrician. Your pediatrician will tell you how to massage the area to unclog the tear duct. If the mucous is yellow or green, it could mean infection, call your pediatrician.

Skin care

Our skin protects our bodies from infection. An infection starts more easily in broken skin such as a rash or a scratch. Therefore, it is very important to protect your baby’s skin from rashes. Rashes often begin as a skin irritation. So, avoid using soaps and lotions that have harsh chemicals or perfume because they can irritate your baby’s skin. If you use soap, rinse your baby’s skin well to remove all of the soap. Scrubbing your baby’s skin can also irritate it and lead to a rash. Gentle washing is all that is needed.

It is important to know that rashes that come and go are probably nothing to worry about. However, rashes that have pimples and blisters could mean your baby has an infection. If your baby has this type of rash, especially in the diaper area, call your pediatrician.

Be sure to wash all skin creases, such as under the neck where milk runs down the chin and between the buttocks. To clean under his neck, with your baby lying on his back, place your hand behind his shoulders and lift his shoulders up slightly. This will cause his head to tilt back enough for you to clean his neck.

Dry or peeling skin is normal for the first few weeks as healthy new skin lies just below the outer, shedding layer. After a bath, it’s okay to apply small amounts of fragrance-free moisturizing lotion or cream. Avoid putting baby oil on his skin; oil can block skin pores. Your baby should not need any powders, lotions or oils on his skin. Talk with your pediatrician before you using of any of these products.

Genitals

Be sure to wash your baby’s genitals. In newborn girls, you may see a slight creamy vaginal discharge the first few days. Sometimes, there is a trace of blood. This discharge is normal and should not be a cause for concern. Your hormones get into your baby’s bloodstream and are the cause of the discharge. These hormones should be out of her bloodstream within a few days. If the discharge lasts more than a week, call your pediatrician. To clean her genital area, wash from front to back with plain water. Also, don’t forget to clean her skin folds well.

If your son has not been circumcised, you do not need to retract the foreskin when cleaning his penis. Full retraction may not be possible for several months. You may notice a waxy material, called smegma, on the head of the penis. This is normal, but should be washed off.

If your son has been circumcised, be very gentle when bathing and drying his penis until it heals. To wash it, squeeze plain, warm water from a clean wash cloth over the penis; then let it air dry. Once the penis heals, you can wash it like you do the rest of him.

First Bath

                  

  Giving your baby her very first bath could be a frightening proposal for a new mom. Babies are slippery and should be carefully supported, which just leaves one hand to do the cleaning. Having everything you require within arm's reach before you get your baby will certainly make it less difficult.
You do not have to start with the conventional baby bath tub and a sturdy hold on your slimy cherub. Actually, you do not have to wash your newborn each day; even if your grandmother says that you have to. The American Academy of Pediatric medicines recommends sponge baths till the umbilical cord stump falls off.

                    Something that might shock you is that your newborn does not require a bath each day. It will certainly dry tender skin. Many times a week, yet not each day, is the recommendation of the Mayo Clinic. When you tidy up your baby after breast or bottle feeding, burps and diaper changes, you are in fact tending to the places that require it frequently.


                     There isn't a "good time" to wash your baby. You could feel free to do it when you want to do it. Morning or night, it is your decision. Lots of moms like to benefit from the soothing result of a cozy night bath, including the opportunity of a quiet night, with a tired, cozy baby.


                    It matters not if you do your sponge baths on a changing table or the kitchen table. What you require is a cozy space with a flat surface. You could also utilize a firm bed if that's the best location for you.


                      You could utilize a sink or fill a plastic basin with water, which needs to be warm and not too hot. Test it with your hands. It is very important to keep your baby warm and out of drafts with these very first baths. Helpful products to keep near your bath site are mild baby hair shampoo and moisturizing soap, cotton balls and baby wipes. Obviously a change of clothes and a clean diaper are necessary, too, yet you'll quickly learn that you won't go anywhere for more than a year without a clean diaper and baby wipes nearby. Lots of moms like those baby towels with a built in hood so they could dry their angel and snuggle for a minute prior to the clothing routine starts. You can also use a muslin swaddle blanket as a bath towel since they are super soft on a baby's skin and will absorb the water well.


                      Throughout the sponge bath, clean your baby's face with a damp, yet not leaking, washcloth. There is no need to utilize soap. Clean each eyelid from the inside corner to the outside with a damp cotton ball. Focus on creases on the arms, around the neck, behind the ears and the fingers and toes. Soap is not necessary, yet could be utilized if the baby's condition warrants it. To begin with, it would be a good concept to keep the baby wrapped up or covered with a cozy towel and just revea the parts you are cleaning.


                      Keep your baby tidy and cozy and your relationship with each other|various other will certainly start with smiles and snuggles.


Usefull Infomation    :
 

Worried about Bed wetting child............

When should I start cleaning my baby's teeth?

Nappy changing tips: be prepared

Baby Care : Staying healthy during weather changes

Skip the baby wipes

How to Bath a Fussy Baby

While giving a fussy baby a bath seems like a task in itself, it is just this task that can make the baby less fussy. The warm water  and undivided attention a parent gives a baby during a bath often soothes a fussy baby, relaxing him or her enough to fall asleep.

The trick is to have everything ready in advance so that the baby is not aggravated by waiting or being cold before being placed into the bath.

The first step to giving the fussy baby a bath is to gather the supplies. By having everything within easy reach, the fussy baby can experience the undivided attention of the parent and can relax. Some good supplies to have for the fussy baby as opposed to the non fussy baby is lavender body wash and lavender baby oil. Lavender is well known for having a relaxing and calming effect on babies as well as adults. 

Once the supplies are gathered, running warm water should begin. Be sure the water is warm enough to be comforting for the baby, but not so warm as to burn the baby. There is nothing worse then injuring your baby when you are really just trying to relax your baby. Fill the bath water and get the baby. 

Remaining calm while you remove the baby’s clothing and diaper is very important. You may notice things that caused the baby to become fussy that you did not notice before. The diaper may be dirty. There may be a piece of something in the clothing bothering the baby. The baby may be tired. No matter what though, it is important that you remain calm. Your anger or frustration can be sensed by the baby and this may make him or her more fussy or agitated. 

Check the water one more time before placing the baby in the water. Once the baby is in the water, watch the baby’s skin for signs of redness or irritation. This may be a sign that the water is too hot. If the baby’s water begins to get too cold, carefully add more warm water to the current water,watching to ensure that it does not get too hot. While the baby is in the water, use your hands to soap the baby’s body up and rinse the baby’s body. Be careful not to get soap into his eyes, as this can cause irritation. Soap should also not be allowed to get into the baby’s mouth or nose, as it can cause the baby to choke.

It is important to remember that a baby cannot do anything for himself. It is also important to remember that a baby can drown in inches of water. Under no circumstances should you leave the baby alone in the bath. If the phone rings, let it ring. If the neighbors knock, they can come back or you can take the baby with you. Under no circumstance should the baby be left alone in the bath even for a second.

Refer :

• Newborn Baby Care
• Baby Sleep Basics
• Some Common Skin Rashes In Babies
• Top 10 Baby Care Tips
• Breastfeeding Getting Started
• Bathing Your Baby
• Baby`s Daily Massage
• Teething Sign And Symptoms
• Safe Homemade Baby Food

Bathing your baby

How often should I bath my baby?

It’s up to you how often you bath your baby. Some babies love being in the water, and giving your baby a warm bath can become a fun and relaxing daily ritual. 

That's not to say you have to bath your baby every day. If your baby is newborn, a bath once or twice a week is enough to keep him clean. Bear in mind that if you live in a hard water area, too much tap water may dry out and damage your baby’s skin. 

Between baths, wash your baby's face regularly, clean his genitals and bottom after each nappy change, and wipe any muck off his skin. 

When you do bath your baby you may find it a little scary the first few times. It's a good idea to have someone with you to give you a bit of support. It's also helpful if you've forgotten something you need for your baby. Until you get into a routine, you'll probably find this is a common occurrence! 

Handling a wriggling, wet and slippery baby takes practice and confidence, but you and your baby will get used to bath time and enjoy it. Most babies find warm water soothing and a bath may help a fussy baby to relax and calm down.

Where should I bath my baby?

To begin with you may find it easier to use the kitchen sink or a small plastic baby bath. 

You could use your big bath, but it can be awkward as you need to kneel or lean over the side. If you do use your big bath, it may help to use a bathing seat or support, or a rubber mat or sponge bath base.

When should I bath my baby?

Choose a time of day when you're not expecting any interruptions and have time to devote to your baby. It's best if your baby is awake and contented before you start, and in between feeds so he’s neither hungry nor full. 

When your baby is newborn you may find it easiest to bath him during the day. But after a couple of months, a bath can become part of his bedtime routine. 

Warm water can help to relax your baby and make him sleepy. It's also an opportunity for other family members to get involved. The nightly bath is a part of babycare that dads often enjoy taking on. 

If someone comes to the door or the phone rings and you feel you must answer it, scoop your baby up and take him with you. 

Never leave your baby unattended in the bath, not even for a few seconds. That could be all the time it takes for your baby to get into difficulty in the water, even when he's in a bath seat.

What's the best way to give my baby a bath?

At first, bathing your baby may seem like a huge undertaking, with all the things you have to remember to have to hand. It will get easier. It won't be long before your baby's bath becomes another routine you've got done to a fine art. 

Before you start your baby's bath, gather all the things you’ll need. These may include: 

• A bowl of warm water, boiled and cooled if your baby is less than two months old, for face washing.
• Several clean pieces of cotton wool.
• A sponge or flannel.
• Baby cleanser, mild soap or bath emollient.
• At least one clean, dry towel. Hooded towels are good for wrapping up your baby from top to toe.
• A thermometer, if you have one, for testing water temperature.
• A muslin square or old towel if you have a baby boy. He may do a wee when his nappy comes off and he feels the fresh air on his skin.
• A clean nappy and clothes.
• A warm blanket

Before you bath your baby, wash his face. It's easier than trying to do it while your baby is in the water. There's no need to use soap or cleanser on your baby's face. 

Wash your baby's face with clean pieces of cotton wool dipped in warm water (previously boiled if your baby is under two months) and squeezed out. 

If your baby has dried mucus in his eyes or nostrils, dab it first to soften the mucus. Wipe each eye from the nose outwards with a fresh piece of dampened cotton wool. 

Now, follow these steps to make baby bathing easy: 

• Keep the room warm and bath water comfortably warm but not hot. If you have a bath thermometer, warm the water to about 37 degrees C.
• For newborns and babies up to six months old, fill the bath with about 13cm (5in) of water. Or just make sure there’s enough to allow your baby to settle in the water with his shoulders well covered. Never fill the bath more than waist-high (in sitting position) for older babies.
• Bring your baby to the bath area, undress him and remove his nappy. If there's poo in the nappy,clean your baby`s genitals and bottom before putting him in the bath.
• Gradually slip your baby into the bath, using one hand to support his neck and head. Keep a good grip, as he might get quite slippery when he’s wet.
• Wash your baby with a little mild, unperfumed soap or pH neutral liquid baby cleanser. If your baby's skin is dry or tender you could add a little bath emollient to the water. The emollient will make your baby slippery to handle, though.
• Use your hand, or a flannel or sponge, to clean your baby from top to bottom and front to back. For your baby`s genitals, a routine wash is all that’s needed.
• Lift your baby out of the bath, and straight onto a dry towel. Wrap him up warm and pat, rather than rub, him dry. You may want to smooth on a mild moisturising lotion or cream, or oil if his skin is dry.
• Dress your baby in clean clothes, wrap him in a dry, warm blanket, and give him a kiss on his sweet-smelling head.

Once your baby is a couple of months old, you or your partner could share a bath with him. Being in the bath with your baby is a lovely way for you to be close to each other. It's a great way for dads to have precious skin-to-skin time with their baby, too. 

Have a quick shower or wash before you get in the bath. Make sure the water is warm, not hot. Use mild baby cleansers and washes, as your normal bath products will be too harsh for your baby's skin. 

It can be tricky, and risky, to get in and out of the bath while holding your baby, so ask your partner or someone else to help. 

They can pass your baby to you once you’ve got in and lift him back out again when you've finished. 

First Bath OF Your Newborn Baby

Giving your baby her very first bath could be a frightening proposal for a new mom. Babies are slippery and should be carefully supported, which just leaves one hand to do the cleaning. Having everything you require within arm's reach before you get your baby will certainly make it less difficult.
You do not have to start with the conventional baby bath tub and a sturdy hold on your slimy cherub. Actually, you do not have to wash your newborn each day; even if your grandmother says that you have to. The American Academy of Pediatric medicines recommends sponge baths till the umbilical cord stump falls off.
Something that might shock you is that your newborn does not require a bath each day. It will certainly dry tender skin. Many times a week, yet not each day, is the recommendation of the Mayo Clinic. When you tidy up your baby after breast or bottle feeding, burps and diaper changes, you are in fact tending to the places that require it frequently.
There isn't a "good time" to wash your baby. You could feel free to do it when you want to do it. Morning or night, it is your decision. Lots of moms like to benefit from the soothing result of a cozy night bath, including the opportunity of a quiet night, with a tired, cozy baby.
It matters not if you do your sponge baths on a changing table or the kitchen table. What you require is a cozy space with a flat surface. You could also utilize a firm bed if that's the best location for you.
You could utilize a sink or fill a plastic basin with water, which needs to be warm and not too hot. Test it with your hands. It is very important to keep your baby warm and out of drafts with these very first baths. Helpful products to keep near your bath site are mild baby hair shampoo and moisturizing soap, cotton balls and baby wipes. Obviously a change of clothes and a clean diaper are necessary, too, yet you'll quickly learn that you won't go anywhere for more than a year without a clean diaper and baby wipes nearby. Lots of moms like those baby towels with a built in hood so they could dry their angel and snuggle for a minute prior to the clothing routine starts. You can also use a muslin swaddle blanket as a bath towel since they are super soft on a baby's skin and will absorb the water well.
Throughout the sponge bath, clean your baby's face with a damp, yet not leaking, washcloth. There is no need to utilize soap. Clean each eyelid from the inside corner to the outside with a damp cotton ball. Focus on creases on the arms, around the neck, behind the ears and the fingers and toes. Soap is not necessary, yet could be utilized if the baby's condition warrants it. To begin with, it would be a good concept to keep the baby wrapped up or covered with a cozy towel and just revea the parts you are cleaning.
Keep your baby tidy and cozy and your relationship with each other|various other will certainly start with smiles and snuggles.